Letters to the Editor

Monday, 18 June 2012

Liberals concerned for seasonal workers in NB

FREDERICTON
– Opposition Labour critic Chris Collins (photo left) is worried about the
ramifications of Bill C-38, passed in parliament after a marathon
session in Ottawa late last week.

Bill
C-38 includes reforms to the Employment Insurance program that could
have a devastating impact on New Brunswick’s seasonal industries.

The
Opposition Liberals urged the Alward government throughout the
legislative session to discuss the issue with the Prime Minister on issues that
matter to New Brunswickers – including EI reform.

Collins,
Moncton East MLA Chris Collins and critic for Post-Secondary Education,
Training, and Labour is disappointed that Premier Alward refused to
speak out against Harper during the EI debate. “Other premiers spoke
out. But our premier has showed time and again he is reluctant to stand
up to the Conservatives in Ottawa.”

Collins
notes that it isn’t just traditional industries that will be affected
by EI reform. Workers in the fisheries, agriculture, and forestry
sectors are immediately thought of when reforms are discussed. Several
other workers will be affected, however. “Think about teachers without
full-time positions, TA’s, bus drivers, or any other staff in the school
system. If they don’t have contracts, they don’t get paid in the
summer. EI reform will hurt them too.”

Collins
also notes how difficult EI reform will be on tourism in the province.
“Yes, we have winter tourism, and have worked to grow that industry. But
people mainly travel in spring, summer, and fall. It is difficult for
workers living in tourist destinations to find alternate work in the
downtime.”

Collins’
first concern is for seasonal workers. Like others, however, he knows
these changes will negatively affect business owners as well. “First,
the government will ask employees to drive an hour to find work in their
down time. With the high price of gas, that has a cost, and that’s if
people have reliable transportation in the first place. Eventually they
are going to move. We will be lucky if they stay in the province, but
they are more likely to head West.”

With
an out-migration of seasonal workers, businesses will struggle to
survive. The Opposition Liberals worry that businesses in the province
will close shop if the workers aren’t available.

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